Surface characterization of streptococci

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the electrostatic characterization of streptococci and the relation between this characterization and the surface structure. The streptococci zeta potential was not influenced by pH at the same ionic strength as the solution. Furthermore, changes in zeta potential were independent of the peptidoglycan layer density or the presence of COOH and NHn on the surface of the streptococci. However, the presence of phosphorus ion resulted in significant changes. It was concluded that the amount of lipoteichoic acid containing phosphate groups on the surface of streptococci has a considerable impact on the zeta potential.